Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is a powerful symbol of Cambodia and a source of great national pride.

The name Angkor Wat means "city temple" in the Khmer language. It was built in the 12th century as a capital of the Khmer Empire. 100 stone temples are spread out over 40 miles. It took 25,000 workers over 37 years to complete. The empire fell in 1431 precipitating the abandonment of the city. For centuries, it remained unknown to the outside world existing only in legend.

Although there have been political problems and war, the temples remained essentially unscathed.

Ta Prohm Temple shows what a tropical forest will do to an architectural monument if left untouched by humans. The gnarled trees have a stranglehold on the structures.

The movie,Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie, was filmed here in 2001. Sidenote: Angelina's adopted son, Maddox, is from Cambodia.

Angkor Wat is one of the man-made Wonders of the World and I was eager to see it. We had deferred from the 4:30 am sunrise viewing but it was still morning when we arrived and very hot.

At first, one has to wonder how were those stones lifted to such heights? How were all the stone carvings accomplished? Every inch is covered with intricate story-telling bas relief. I try to picture these temples teeming with Cambodian life in the 12th century.

After the 400 years of abandonment, the discovery in 1863 by a French botanist, partly inspired France to declare Cambodia a protectorate. This was when Angkor Wat first appeared on the Cambodian flag. It has remained on the flag even after independence from France in 1953.

Note the stream of ants crawling in a steady parade across the bas relief. Apparently this happens in times of rain. It was fascinating to watch them.

Kall, the Room to Read country director for Cambodia, considers Angkor Wat as "a gift from our ancestors." It is an important legacy attracting visitors from all over the world. This smiling Buddha is the most popular image of all.

Cambodia

We knew it was the rainy season in Cambodia. Still we are awestruck when we see rain soaked fields for miles as we approach Siem Reap. We are accustomed to rain cooling things off. Not so in the tropical climate of Southeast Asia. It is wickedly hot and humid.

The skies did clear for our visit to a school and a welcoming ceremony there.
The story of Cambodia is compelling. For four years In the mid 70's, the Khmer Rouge tried to restructure the entire society by eliminating the educated and business classes. Two million people were killed.* The genocide ended when Vietnam invaded the country in '78. The Vietnamese stayed for ten years. When they left, the UN helped establish an interim government. Political upheavals continued in the 90's.

This is Angkor Wat. 12th century. It is the world's largest religious building and Cambodia's most cherished national symbol. (More on Angkor Wat to come.)

It is commonly felt that despite the destruction of Buddhist records, libraries, temples, shrines, and killing the monks, Buddhist teachings hidden deep inside the people helped them endure the years of war and poverty. Peace has encouraged their hopes for a better life. They clear landmines and have worked to build schools and revive traditions.
The people were warm and friendly. We left Cambodia with regret that our visit was short and with the desire to return.

*Recommended reading: First they Killed my Father by Loung Ung.